EP1116650A2

EP1116650A2 - Outboard engine

Info

Publication number: EP1116650A2
Application number: EP01100076A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Eiichiro Tsujii
Original assignee: Sanshin Kogyo KK
Current assignee: Yamaha Marine Co Ltd
Priority date: 2000-01-11
Filing date: 2001-01-10
Publication date: 2001-07-18
Anticipated expiration: 2021-01-10
Also published as: EP1116650B1; JP2001191991A; EP1116650A3

Abstract

An outboard engine (1) having an outboard engine body (4) and a bracket member (3) for supporting said outboard engine (1) on a hull (2), said bracket member (3) is provided for supporting said outboard engine (1) rotatable about a swivel axis (X) and tiltable about a tilt axis (Y) between a running position (A) and a tilt-up position (B), wherein a tilt lock means (40,42;60,61) is provided between said outboard engine body (4) and said bracket member (3) for supporting said outboard engine body (4) in the tilt-up position (B) and preventing rotation of said outboard engine body (4) about the swivel axis (X) when said tilt lock means (40,42;60,61) is in a locking position (D).

Description

This invention relates to an outboard engine having an outboard engine body and a bracket member for supporting said outboard engine on a hull. In particular to a tilt lock device for an outboard engine for holding an aft-mounted outboard engine body in a tilt-up position.
In general, an outboard engine mounted on a small watercraft is supported on a clamping bracket for rotation about a swivel axis through a swiveling bracket and for vertical swinging movement about a tilt axis between a running position and a tilt-up position.
Such a type of outboard engine may be provided with a tilt lock device for holding the outboard engine body in a tilt-up position. As a tilt lock device of this type, a system has been known in which a positioning lever mounted on a swiveling bracket is rotated to be engaged with a clamping bracket during tilting up, causing the swiveling bracket to be supported without rotation about the tilt axis with the result that the outboard engine is held in a tilt-up position.
In some outboard engines described above, the outboard engine body can be rotated 360°about the swivel axis through a swiveling bracket, and the watercraft is able to change its direction from advancing to reversing by rotating the outboard engine body by 180°.
In addition, some outboard engines have employed in recent years four-stroke type engines from a view point of purification of exhaust gas, in which case the engine is generally mounted such that the crank shaft is oriented approximately vertically with the cylinder head positioning rearwardly of the crank shaft during running.
However, in such a conventional tilt lock device, the engine body is likely to be rotated by the engine weight with the weighty cylinder head side down, and in some cases, lubricating oil might enter the combustion chamber to thereby wet ignition plugs, causing starting failure.
It is an object of this invention to provide an outboard engine having an outboard engine body and a bracket member for supporting said outboard engine on a hull, wherein said engine can be suitable supported especially in a tilt-up position.
According to the present invention this objective is solved by an outboard engine having an outboard engine body and a bracket member for supporting said outboard engine on a hull, said bracket member is provided for supporting said outboard engine rotatable about a swivel axis and tiltable about a tilt axis between a running position and a tilt-up position, wherein a tilt lock means is provided between said outboard engine body and said bracket member for supporting said outboard engine body in the tilt-up position and preventing rotation of said outboard engine body about the swivel axis when said tilt lock means is in a locking position.
An outboard engine with such a tilt lock device is capable of avoiding the outboard engine body being rotated with the cylinder head side down when the outboard engine body is held in a tilt-up position, and accordingly of preventing ingress of lubricating oil into the combustion chamber.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention are laid down in the dependent claims.
In the following, the present invention is explained in greater detail with respect to several embodiments thereof in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:
Fig. 1 is a left side view of an outboard engine being held in a tilt-up position according to a first embodiment;
Fig. 2 is a right side view of the outboard engine;
Fig. 3 is a left side view of a tilt lock device of the outboard engine;
Fig. 4 is a front view (in the direction of the arrow a in Fig. 3) of the tilt lock device in the tilt-up position as seen in the direction of the crank shaft;
Fig. 5 is a right side view of the tilt lock device;
Fig. 6 is a view showing a tilt lock device of an outboard engine according to a second embodiment; and
Fig. 7 is a view of a portion of a tilt lock lever of the tilt lock device.
An embodiment of the outboard engine will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Fig.1 through Fig.5 are views illustrating a tilt lock device for an outboard engine according to one embodiment (first embodiment); Fig.1 is a left side view of the outboard engine being held in a tilt-up position; Fig.2 a right side view of the outboard engine; Fig.3 a left side view of the tilt lock device; Fig.4 a front view of the tilt lock device (viewed in the direction of the arrow a in Fig.3), and Fig.5 a right side view of the tilt lock device. Here, the terms "left and right" or the "front and the rear" mean the directions when viewed from the rear of the watercraft.
In the figures, numeral 1 designates an outboard engine for a small watercraft provided in a stern 2a of a hull 2, which engine is arranged such that an outboard engine body 4 is supported by a bracket member 3 fixed to the stern 2a for rotation about a swivel axis (X axis) by 360°and for vertical swinging movement about a tilt axis (Y axis) between a running position A and a tilt-up position B.
The outboard engine 1 is held in a running position A during running, and in a tilt-up position B during mooring or storage. When the outboard engine is held in a running position A and the watercraft changes its direction from advancing to reversing, the outboard engine 1 is rotated by 180°.
The outboard engine body 4 is arranged such that an engine 7 is mounted on an upper case 6 having a drive shaft 5 inserted therein, to the top of the upper case 6 is connected a cowling 8 covering the engine 7, and to the bottom of the upper case 6 is connected a lower case 10 having a propeller shaft 9 inserted therein. To the upper end of the drive shaft 5 is connected the lower end of a crank shaft 13 of the engine 7, to the lower end thereof the propeller shaft 9 through a bevel gear mechanism 11, and to the rear end of the propeller shaft 9 is fitted a screw 12.
The upper case 6 comprises a bowl-like case 6a, and a cylindrical case 6b extending toward the body of water and connected to the bottom of the case 6a; the engine 7 is mounted fixedly on the bottom of the case 6a; and the drive shaft 5 is supported in the case 6b.
The engine 7 is of a four-stroke single cylinder type, and in a crank case 7a of the engine 7 is disposed the crank shaft 13 longitudinally such that it is oriented approximately vertically during running. To the rear mating surface of the crank case 7a is connected a cylinder block 7b with a cylinder bore axis directed horizontally rearwardly; to the rear mating surface of the cylinder block 7b a cylinder head 7c with an intake valve 15 and an exhaust valve 16; and to the rear end of the cylinder head 7c a head cover 7d, successively. To the bottom of the crankcase 7a is connected an oil pan 7e for collecting lubricating oil.
A piston 17 disposed in the cylinder bore of the cylinder block 7b is connected to the crankshaft 13 through a connecting rod 18. To the upper end of the crankshaft 13 is fitted a starting pulley 20 adapted to be driven for rotation by a starting rope 19. In front of the engine 7 is disposed a fuel tank 21.
To an intake port (not shown) open to the top of the cylinder head 7c is connected a carburetor 23 through an intake pipe 22; to an exhaust port (not shown) open to the bottom is connected an exhaust passage (not shown) formed in the cylinder head 7c and the cylinder block 7b; and the exhaust passage is open to the body of water through the upper case 6 and the lower case 10.
To the upper case 6 is attached a bar-like steering handle 25 extending approximately horizontally toward the front, to which is connected an accelerator grip 25a. To the rear end wall of the cowling 8 is attached a grip 26 for the tilting up operation.
The bracket member 3 comprises a clamping bracket 27, and a swiveling bracket 28 connected to the clamping bracket 27 for rotation through a tilt shaft 29. The clamping bracket 27 comprises a pair of right and left clamps 27a in the shape of an inverse letter J surrounding the upper edge of the stern 2a, and fasteners 30 fitted therein, and is fixed to the stern 2a by fastening the fasteners 30.
Through the clamps 27a passes the tilt shaft 29, which is fastened by a nut 33 and on which is supported a base 28a of the swiveling bracket 28 for rotation. The swiveling bracket 28 is formed at the rear end with a swivel hole 28b, in which the upper end of the lower case 6b is inserted through a bush 34 for rotation (see Fig. 4). In this way, the outboard engine body 4 is supported by the clamping bracket 27 and the swiveling bracket 28, for rotation about the tilt axis Y and for rotation about the swivel axis X.
The outboard engine 1 is provided with a tilt lock device. The tilt lock device comprises tilt lock levers 42 on the outboard engine 4 side, and tilt lock means formed on the clamping bracket 27 side, with a support boss 27b for abutment against the tilt lock levers 32, as described specifically below.
At the bottom of the case 6a of the upper case 6 is formed integrally a projected section comprised of a pair of right and left vertical walls 6c and front wall 6d, and on the right and left walls 6c is supported therethrough a connecting shaft 40 extending in the lateral direction. The connecting shaft 40 is supported on the vertical walls for rotation through bushes 41 fitted in through holes 6e.
At both ends of the connecting shaft 40 are fastened, with a nut 43, a pair of strip-like tilt lock levers 42, which are spaced from each other so as to be located on the outer right and left sides of the center line X1 of the outboard engine crossing the swivel axis X (see Fig. 4). The tilt lock levers 42 are disposed in a region of the engine 7 opposite the cylinder head 7c with respect to the crankshaft 13.
Each of the tilt lock levers 42 is formed at one end with a bent leg 42a extending laterally outwardly and at the other end with a extended engaging section 42b, where it is fixed to the connecting shaft 40.
The tilt lock levers 42 are rotatable in one body between an unlocking position C in which the lever is located within a projected area of the upper case 6 as viewed in profile and a locking position D in which the lever is protruded downwardly from the upper case 6 in profile.
On the left vertical wall 6c and behind the connecting shaft 40, and on the left tilt lock lever 42 and in front of the connecting shaft 40 are implanted fixedly engaging pins 45, 46, respectively, between which is installed a spring 47.
The spring 47 urges the tilt lock lever 42 in the locking direction when it is in the locking position D, and in the unlocking direction when it is in the unlocking position C.
Each clamp 27a is formed at the top with the support boss 27b, and the top of the support boss 27b is inclined so as to face the leg 42a of the tilt lock lever 42 during tilting up. Also, the inside surface 42c of one end of the tilt lock lever 42 is adapted to face the outside surface 28c of the swiveling bracket 28 for contact during tilting up (see Fig. 3).
On the case 6a and to the rear of the right tilt lock lever 42 is supported a shift lever 50 for switching movement between a shift-in position F for engagement of the bevel gear mechanism 11 and a neutral position N for disengagement of the same. The shift lever 50 is formed with a stopper 50a extending forwardly, which is engageable with the engaging section 42b of the tilt lock lever 42. That is, when the shift lever 50 is in the shift-in position F, the stopper 50a is engaged with the engaging section 42b to stop rotation of the tilt lock lever 42 in the locking direction, and when the shift lever 50 is in the neutral position N, the stopper 50a is disengaged, thereby allowing rotation of the tilt lock lever 42 in the locking direction.
Now, effect and function of this embodiment will be described below.
To tilt up the outboard engine body 4 from the running condition for mooring or storage, the shift lever 50 is switched to the neutral position N to unlock the tilt lock lever 42 and the tilt lock lever 42 is then rotated in the locking position D. In this condition, the outboard engine body 4 is rotated upwardly toward the front with the grip 26 in hand until the legs 42a of the right and left tilt lock levers 42 are in abutment against the support bosses 27b of the clamps 27a. This causes the outboard engine body 4 to be held in the tilt-up position B by the weight of the engine 7 and without rotation, with the cylinder block 7a positioning higher than the oil pan 7e. When the outboard engine body 4 is returned to the running position A, it is rotated downwardly toward the rear and the tilt lock lever 42 is rotated to the unlocking position C.
According to this embodiment as described above, on the right and left vertical walls 6c formed in the upper case 6 is supported therethrough a connecting shaft 40; to both ends of the connecting shaft 40 are fixed tilt lock levers 42 spaced from each other so as to be located on the laterally outer sides of the center line X1 of the outboard engine; and the legs 42a of the tilt lock levers 42 are brought in abutment against the support bosses 27b of the clamps 27a and the inside surfaces 42c of the tilt lock levers 42 are adapted to face the outside surfaces 28c of the swiveling bracket 28 for contact during tilting up. Therefore, the tilt lock levers act as props to stop rotation of the outboard engine body 4, so that the outboard engine can be held stably in a tilt-up position B with the cylinder head 7c side up, with a simple structure and a small number of parts of a pair of tilt lock levers 42. As a result, the oil pan 7 positions lower than the combustion chamber at all times, thereby avoiding ingress of lubricating oil into the combustion chamber and preventing starting failure due to wet ignition plugs.
In addition, each of the tilt lock levers 42 is formed with a leg 42a extending laterally outwardly, thereby providing a larger contact area between the leg 42a and the support boss 27b and improving the stability of the tilt-up position holding posture.
In this embodiment, the tilt lock levers 42 are disposed on the outboard engine body 4 side, so that the outboard engine body can be locked in the tilt-up position B only when the cylinder head 7c positions upwardly, thereby preventing ingress of lubricating oil into the combustion chamber reliably. That is, if the tilt lock levers 42 are disposed on the clamping bracket 27 side, the outboard engine body may be held in the tilt-up position whether or not the cylinder head positions downwardly, but in the embodiment, such a operation error can be avoided.
The connecting shaft 40 enables the tilt lock levers 42 to be rotated between a locking position D and an unlocking position C, so that the tilt lock levers 42 can be housed within a projected area of the upper case 6 in profile during running, thereby avoiding interference during running or during transporting or storage of the outboard engine 1.
In this embodiment, on the upper case 6 and in the vicinity of the tilt lock lever 42 is supported a shift lever 50 and the shift lever 50 is formed with a stopper 50a engageable with the engaging section 42b of the tilt lock lever 42, so that rotation of the tilt lock lever 42 in the locking direction is prevented when the shift lever 50 is in a shift-in position F and the tilt lock lever 42 can be rotated in a locking position D only when the shift lever 50 is switched to a neutral position N. Thus, driver's attention can be called to the operation of the shift lever to be switched to the neutral position N at the time of tilting up.
Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 are views illustrating a tilt lock device of an outboard engine according to an embodiment (second embodiment). In the figures, like numerals as in Fig. 4 designate like parts.
A tilt lock device of this embodiment is arranged such that one strip-like tilt lock lever 61 is supported on a case 6a of an upper case 6 at a left wall 6f for rotation about a support shaft 60 between a locking position and an unlocking position and disposed so as to be located on the laterally outer side of the center line X1 of the outboard engine, and further, in a region of the engine opposite the cylinder head with respect to the crank shaft.
Also, the tilt lock lever 61 is formed at one end with a bent leg 61a extending laterally outwardly. A left clamp 27a is formed at the top with a support boss 27b against which a leg 61a is adapted to be in abutment, and on the laterally outer side of the support boss 27b is formed a projection 27c against which the outer end face 61b of the leg 61a is adapted to be in abutment. Also, the inside surface 61c of one end of the tilt lock lever 61 is adapted to face the outside surface 28d of the swiveling bracket 28 for contact.
According to this embodiment, one tilt lock lever 61 is supported on the upper case 6, the leg 61a of the tilt lock lever 61 is brought in abutment against the support boss 27b of the clamp 27a and the outer end face 61b against the projection 27b and the inside surface 61c in contact with the outside surface 28d of the swiveling bracket 28 during tilting up. Therefore, rotation of the outboard engine body 4 are prevented and the outboard engine body can be held in a tilt-up position with a simple structure and through one tilt lock lever 61, providing the same effect as in the foregoing first embodiment.
The above mentioned embodiments of an outboard engine are provided with a tilt lock device for an outboard engine having an outboard engine body supported on a clamping bracket fixed to a hull, for rotation about a swivel axis through a swiveling bracket and for vertical swinging movement about a tilt axis between a running position and a tilt-up position, said outboard engine body carrying an engine such that a crank shaft of the engine is oriented approximately vertically with a cylinder head positioning rearwardly of said crank shaft during running, wherein between said outboard engine body and said clamping bracket is provided tilt lock means for holding said outboard engine body in a tilt-up position and preventing rotation of said outboard engine body about the swivel axis during tilting up.
Accordingly, between the outboard engine body and the clamping bracket is provided tilt lock means for preventing rotation of the outboard engine body about the swivel axis during tilting up. Therefore, the outboard engine body is not rotated by the engine weight when tilted up, and can be held stably in a tilt-up position with the cylinder head side up, avoiding ingress of lubricating oil into the combustion chamber and preventing starting failure due to wet ignition plugs.
In the embodiments, said tilt lock means is provided between a region of the outboard engine body opposite the cylinder head with respect to the crank shaft and said clamping bracket.
Accordingly, said tilt lock means is provided between a region of the outboard engine body opposite the cylinder head and the clamping bracket. Therefore, the outboard engine body can be held in a tilt-up position only when it is oriented with the cylinder head side up, preventing ingress of lubricating oil into the combustion chamber reliably.
In the above mentioned embodiments, said tilt lock means comprises a laterally extending connecting member supported on said outboard engine body for rotation between a locking position and an unlocking position, and strip plate-like tilt lock levers fixed to both ends of said connecting member so as to be located on the laterally outer sides of the swivel axis, one end face of said each tilt lock lever being in abutment against said clamping bracket and part of the inside surface of said each tilt lock lever being adapted to face the swiveling bracket for contact during tilting up.
Accordingly, the tilt lock levers are fixed to both ends of the connecting member supported on the outboard engine body so as to be located on the laterally outer sides of the swivel axis, and one end face of each tilt lock lever is brought in abutment against the clamping bracket and part of the inside surface thereof in contact with the swiveling bracket during tilting up. Therefore, both of the tilt lock levers act as props to stop rotation of the outboard engine body, so that the outboard engine body can be held stably in a tilt-up position with the cylinder head side up, with a simple structure and a small number of parts.
In addition, the tilt lock levers can be rotated in one body between a locking position and an unlocking position through the connecting member, so that they can be housed in the unlocking position without interference during running. Further, if the outboard engine body is tilted up when the tilt lock lever is in the unlocking position, the outboard engine body is impossible to lock, so that driver's attention can be called in the tilting up operation.
According to a embodiment, said tilt locking means comprises one strip plate-like tilt lock lever supported on said outboard engine body for rotation between a locking position and an unlocking position so as to be located on the laterally outer side of said swivel axis, the lower end face of said tilt lock lever being in abutment against said clamping bracket, the outside surface thereof in abutment against a projection formed on said clamping bracket, and part of the inside surface thereof being adapted to face said swiveling bracket for contact during tilting up.
Accordingly, one tilt lock lever is supported on the outboard engine body for rotation, and the lower end face of the tilt lock lever is brought in abutment against the clamping bracket, the outside surface thereof in abutment against the projection formed on the clamping bracket, and part of the inside surface thereof into contact with the swiveling bracket during tilting up. Therefore, rotation of the outboard engine body is prevented, and the outboard engine body can be held in the tilt-up position with a simple structure and a small number of parts.
In addition, the tilt lock lever can be rotated between a locking position and an unlocking position, so that it can be housed in the same manner as in the invention of claim 3 during running, and driver's attention can be called in the locking operation.
The above mentioned embodiments shows a shift lever which is provided in the vicinity of the tilt lock lever of said outboard engine body, for switching movement between a shift-in position and a neutral position, wherein said shift lever is formed with a stopper for engaging said tilt lock lever to stop rotation of said tilt lock lever in the locking direction when in the shift-in position and to allow rotation thereof in the locking direction when in the neutral position.
Accordingly, the stopper provided in the vicinity of the tilt lock lever prevents rotation of the tilt lock lever in the locking direction when in the shift-in position, and allows rotation thereof in the locking direction when in the neutral position, so that driver's attention can be called in the tilting up operation.
The above mentioned embodiments are teaching an outboard engine having an outboard engine body 4 and a bracket member 3 for supporting said outboard engine on a hull 2. Said bracket member 3 is provided for supporting said outboard engine rotatable about a swivel axis X and tiltable about a tilt axis Y between a running position A and a tilt-up position B. A tilt lock means 40,42;60,61 is provided between said outboard engine body 4 and said bracket member 3 for supporting said outboard engine body 4 in the tilt-up position B and preventing rotation of said outboard engine body 4 about the swivel axis X when said tilt lock means 40,42;60,61 is in a locking position D.
Said tilt lock means 40,42;60,61 comprises at least one tilt lock lever 42;61 swingably supported on said outboard engine body 4. Said tilt lock lever 42;61 is moveable from an unlock position C to the locking position D and vice versa and said tilt lock lever 42;61 in the locking position D is in abutment with the bracket member 3 for preventing rotation of said outboard engine body 4 about the swivel axis X.
Said bracket member 3 comprises a clamping bracket 27 which can be fixed to the hull 2 and a swiveling bracket 28 for rotatably supporting said outboard engine about the swivel axis X. Said swiveling bracket 28 is supported on said clamping bracket 27 tiltable about the tilt axis Y between the running position A and the tilt-up position B.
According to one embodiment, said tilt lock means of the outboard engine comprises a laterally extending connecting member 40 supported on said outboard engine body 4 and a pair of tilt lock levers 42 fixed to ends of said connecting member 40 and rotatably between the locking position D and the unlocking position C. Said tilt lock levers 42 are located on laterally outer sides of the swivel axis X, one end face of each tilt lock lever 42 is adapted to be in abutment with said clamping bracket 27 in the tilt-up position B of the engine, wherein at least part of a side surface 42c of each tilt lock lever 42 faces the swiveling bracket 28 for contacting therewith in the locking position D.
According to the other embodiment, said tilt lock means of the outboard engine comprises a tilt lock lever 61 supported on said outboard engine body 4 rotatably between the locking position D and an unlocking position C. Said tilt lock lever 61 is located on a laterally outer side of said swivel axis X. One end face of said tilt lock lever 61 is adapted to be in abutment with said clamping bracket 27 in the tilt-up position B of the engine, wherein an outside surface 61b of said tilt lock lever 61 is in abutment with a projection 27c of said clamping bracket 27 for contacting therewith in the locking position D, and at least part of an inside surface 61c of said tilt lock lever 61 faces said swiveling bracket 28 for contacting therewith in the locking position D.
According to the embodiments, said outboard engine further comprises a shift lever 50 provided in the vicinity of the tilt lock lever 42;61 of said outboard engine body 4 for switching movement between a shift-in position and a neutral position. Said shift lever 50 is provided with a stopper 50a for engaging said tilt lock lever 42;61 for preventing rotation of said tilt lock lever 42;61 in the locking position D when said shift lever 50 is in the shift-in position and for allowing rotation of said tilt lock lever 42;61 in the locking position D when said shift lever 50 is in the neutral position.
In the outboard engine according to the embodiment, said outboard engine body 4 is carrying an engine 1 with a crank shaft 13 oriented approximately vertically in the running position A and with a cylinder head 7c spaced further away from the tilt axis Y than said crank shaft 13 especially in the tilt-up position B of the engine.
According to the embodiments, said tilt lock means 40,42;60,61 of the outboard engine is provided on said outboard engine body 4 opposite to the cylinder head 7c with respect to the crank shaft 13. Said tilt lock means 40,42;60,61 is provided on said outboard engine body 4 in a region between said crank shaft 13 and said clamping bracket 3.

Claims

An outboard engine having an outboard engine body (4) and a bracket member (3) for supporting said outboard engine on a hull (2), said bracket member (3) is provided for supporting said outboard engine rotatable about a swivel axis (X) and tiltable about a tilt axis (Y) between a running position (A) and a tilt-up position (B), wherein a tilt lock means (40,42;60,61) is provided between said outboard engine body (4) and said bracket member (3) for supporting said outboard engine body (4) in the tilt-up position (B) and preventing rotation of said outboard engine body (4) about the swivel axis (X) when said tilt lock means (40,42;60,61) is in a locking position (D).
An outboard engine according to claim 1, wherein said tilt lock means (40,42;60,61) comprises at least one tilt lock lever (42;61) swingably supported on said outboard engine body (4), said tilt lock lever (42;61) is moveable from an unlock position (C) to the locking position (D) and vice versa and said tilt lock lever (42;61) in the locking position (D) is in abutment with the bracket member (3) for preventing rotation of said outboard engine body (4) about the swivel axis (X).
An outboard engine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said bracket member (3) comprises a clamping bracket (27) which can be fixed to the hull (2) and a swiveling bracket (28) for rotatably supporting said outboard engine about the swivel axis (X), said swiveling bracket (28) is supported on said clamping bracket (27) tiltable about the tilt axis (Y) between the running position (A) and the tilt-up position (B).
An outboard engine according to claim 3, wherein said tilt lock means comprises a laterally extending connecting member (40) supported on said outboard engine body (4) and a pair of tilt lock levers (42) fixed to ends of said connecting member (40) and rotatably between the locking position (D) and the unlocking position (C), said tilt lock levers (42) are located on laterally outer sides of the swivel axis (X), one end face of each tilt lock lever (42) is adapted to be in abutment with said clamping bracket (27) in the tilt-up position (B) of the engine, wherein at least part of a side surface (42c) of each tilt lock lever (42) faces the swiveling bracket (28) for contacting therewith in the locking position (D).
An outboard engine according to claim 3, wherein said tilt lock means comprises a tilt lock lever (61) supported on said outboard engine body (4) rotatably between the locking position (D) and an unlocking position (C), said tilt lock lever (61) is located on a laterally outer side of said swivel axis (X), one end face of said tilt lock lever (61) is adapted to be in abutment with said clamping bracket (27) in the tilt-up position (B) of the engine, wherein an outside surface (61b) of said tilt lock lever (61) is in abutment with a projection (27c) of said clamping bracket (27) for contacting therewith in the locking position (D), and at least part of an inside surface (61c) of said tilt lock lever (61) faces said swiveling bracket (28) for contacting therewith in the locking position (D).
An outboard engine according to at least one of the claims 2 to 5, wherein a shift lever (50) is provided in the vicinity of the tilt lock lever (42;61) of said outboard engine body (4) for switching movement between a shift-in position and a neutral position, and said shift lever (50) is provided with a stopper (50a) for engaging said tilt lock lever (42;61) for preventing rotation of said tilt lock lever (42;61) in the locking position (D) when said shift lever (50) is in the shift-in position and for allowing rotation of said tilt lock lever (42;61) in the locking position (D) when said shift lever (50) is in the neutral position.
An outboard engine according to at least one of the claims 1 to 6, wherein said outboard engine body (4) is carrying an engine (1) with a crank shaft (13) oriented approximately vertically in the running position (A) and with a cylinder head (7c) spaced further away from the tilt axis (Y) than said crank shaft (13) especially in the tilt-up position (B) of the engine.
An outboard engine according to claim 7, wherein said tilt lock means (40,42;60,61) is provided on said outboard engine body (4) opposite to the cylinder head (7c) with respect to the crank shaft (13).
An outboard engine according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said tilt lock means (40,42;60,61) is provided on said outboard engine body (4) in a region between said crank shaft (13) and said clamping bracket (3).